Slide-lock device



July 10, 1945. E. c. DEAL SLIDE LOCK DEVICE Filed March 18, 1942 INVNoR Einflu '-fal Il' rr) l. III

ATTORNEY Patented July 10,1945

SLIDE-LOCK DEVICE Erastus C. Deal, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., assignox' to Deal Slide-Lock Devices, Inc., Bronx, N. Y., a

corporation oi' New York UNITED STATES APATENT .ori-ica v in those positions.

Application March 18, 1942, Serial No. 435,246

(cris-13s) 1-8 The present invention relates to mechanical adliusters and slide-lock devices and more particularly to improvements extending the field of adaptability and usefulness of the type shown in Reissue Patent No. 20,327, granted to me April 13, 1937.

As illustrative of a single application, the present embodiment of the invention is shown aphelpful and feasible. In enumerating the abovev uses, there is no intention of limiting the invention to those named, orto an extent less than the most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art, as the invention is of general application.

In the various uses, it is desirable that the slide members Abe readily adjustable to different posione skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying draw.I

ing, forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a front view of the device applied to the leg of a. table;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. corresponding to Fig. 2, of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a detailed top plan view of the transfer or adjuster bar removed from the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of vthe invention, the transfer or adjuster member being turned to a position at one side to expose the elements under it Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line 6-8 of Fig. 5 with the transfer member in place;

Fig.l 7 is a front view of another embodiment of 25 the invention with the transfer member removed;

tions and that they be readily and lsecurely locked Likewise the device should permit the slide members to be unlocked without dlmclllty.

The present invention is an improvement upon my patent identified above'and aims to provide a stronger construction, to improvethe locking adjustment, and lto extend the iield of usefulness of the invention.

l An object of the invention is to provide an im` proved slide-lock device.

Another object of the invention is to simplify,

the adjustment of Vslide-lock devices'.

Another object o'f the invention is toincrease the life and durability of slide-lock devices.

and

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line 8-I of Fig. 7., with the transfer member in place.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating one embodiment of the "invention, there is shown for purposes of illustration a table leg l having a guideway or casing 2 secured to it by screws l. 'I'he casing 2 has sides 5 tiunedinwardly at ii to partially enclose and form a guideway for wedge members l and 8. which have wedge surfaces 9 and I0 respectively.

A nexible member Il extendsbetween the two .wedge surfaces s and la with its respective ends a extending along sides of the wedge membersand Another object of theJnVention is to provide a u device in which the slidable members are locked in position subject to limited movement with respect thereto. Another object of the invention is to provide a device in which the slidable members are locked in position subject to alimited movement in either direction in oppositionY to resilient means.

Other and further objects oi.'- the invention will be obvious .upon an of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will `be indicated in the appended claims and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to se secured to diagonally,V disposed corners at `the ends of the casing 2. The member ll is illustrated as a exlble strip of metal but it may be in. the form of a wire, cable or the like. The ends of 4the flexible member Il may be bent around the sides of the casing" to formlhooks Il which are preferably soldered or welded to in' It will be crease the security of the connection. understood that the ends ot the member Il may be, secured to the casing 2 or to theilxture on which the` casing is-mounted in any other suitable manner and that they may be tion intermediate the ends of the casing. A connecting member. illustratedinthe preferred embodiment as a spring I2, is secured at its respec- I tive `ends to the wedge members in any suitable manner. As illustrated, the ends of the spring may be bent to hook into apertures lli in the wedge member. Other means such as studs at-l tached to the ends of the spring and fitting in the apertures may be utilized if desired. The spring is under tension in the preferred embodiment and tends to urge the wedge members 'I and 8 toward each other. When pressure is applied to a wedge member tending to move it in a direction away from the other wedge member, the two wedge surfaces 9 and I8 are pulled apart so that the ilexible member I I may slide between the wedge members and the latter may slide along the guidewayZ to any desired position.

For example, in Figs. 1 and 2, the wedge member 8 may be pressed downwardly to lengthen the leg I of the table and thereby to compensate for any unevennessin the floor. On the other hand, any attempt to force the wedge member 8 upwardly, for example, by placing weight on the table,

4causes the wedge surface I8 to press against the flexible member Il. and to clampit against the wedge surface 9, and to thrust the wedges against the sides of the channel thereby creating friction which adds to the locking action of the wedge surfaces. In this way, the wedge member 8 is locked against 'upward movement in response to pressure applied toit. On the other hand, it may be moved'upward very readily by applying upward-pressure to the wedge member 1. In that case,v the wedge members I and 8 are pulled apart, thereby unclamping the ilexible member vII and permitting upward movement of the two wedge members to shorten the adjusted length of the table leg.

' operation of the adjuster to try to pull the two wedge members apart. In some cases, the spring I2 has been unduly strained and the operation of the device impaired. The present invention provides a member I5 having hooked ends adapted to t into recesses or apertures I6 in the surface of the wedges 'I and 8. The member I5 may be secured to the wedges in any other suitable manner, for example, it may be attached to studs fitting in the apertures I6. The member I5 may be rigid, in which event a slight play is allowed between the ends thereof ar d the apertures I5 in order to permit the wedge .members 1 and 8 to move apart or the member l5 may be slightly exible to allow the wedge members tol move apart to permit adjustment. In either case, the member I5- should be suciently strong to relieve the spring I2 of any extraordinary strain and to` prevent it'from being impaired by misuse of the device. A suitable cover II may extend over the guideway 2 thereby to improve the appearance of the device and to protect it against dust and dirt. v

, The construction illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and the corresponding parts have been similarly numpermit a limited relative movement between the screws 2| andthe member I8. The position of the ends of the slots is such that when the mem- -ber I8 is moved in one direction, for example,

upward, it is effective upon the wedge member 'I to move it away from the wedge member 8 and thereby eect an adjustment in that direction. When the member I8 is moved in the opposite direction, it becomes effective on the member 8 and ineffective on the wedge 'I and moves the member 8 away from the member to effect an adjustment in the opposite direction. In other words, the member I8 transfers forces' applied to it to the proper wedge member for making an adjustment, and hence may be called a transfer member. A knob I9 is provided so that one grasping the knob may move the slide-lock device in either direction merely `by pressing the knob in the desired direction; thusall diiiicultyis eliminated in the adjustment of the device heretofore occasioned by lack of knowledge as to 'its principle and operation. In addition, the

The member I8, with orY without the spring I2,

permits the wedge members to move into and out of clamping relation with respect to the flexible member II. essential in obtaining the locking action and may be omitted in the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 6, if desired. In some instances, the position of the members is such that the force of gravity tends to force the wedge mem-bers toward each other.

In the embodiments described above, each wedge member may be moved in one direction 4I) but is locked against movement in the opposite bered. The essential diierence is the provision of a'mem'ber I8 with a knob IS to vfacilitate the operation of the slide-lock. The member I8 has slotsV 20 adjacent its respective ends with studs or screws' 2l extending therethrough and into the wedge members I and .8 to secure it in position. The purpose of the elongated slots 2Il'is to direction. In some cases, it is desirable that one or both `wedge members be locked against undesirable movement in either direction.' lThis may be accomplished by the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing where the wedge members I and 8 are mounted on a. carriage or member 24. As illustrated in the embodiment shown, the member 24 is provided with a. recess 25 having a length slightly greater than the combined length of the wedge members I' and 8. This additional length of the recess is desirable in order'to permit the wedge members to be separated for adjustment of the member 24 along the guideway. The wedge members are provided with a exible strip II which extends between them and whichis secured to the guideway `2. Likewise, the wedge members are provided with the preferred means of adjustment;'

that is, the bar I8 connected by studs'or screws 2| in slots 20 to the wedge members. When vthe carriage member 24 is forced upward, one

end of the slot 25l presses against the wedge member 8 and thereby loclgs the two wedge members in position, preventing movement of the member 24 in that direction. If the member 24vis moved in the opposite direction, the

opDOSiteend of the slot 25 will engage the wedge member I and force it against themetal strip I I to lock the parts in position; thus the wedges will lock the member 24 against movement in either direction. Therefore, pressure on the member 24 is ineiective to move it, except for the slight play between theslot 25 and the wedge members, which may be small. On the other hand', if one engages the knob '|9 and presses 'it Hence, the spring I2 is not downwardly, the lower slot 20 will engage the lower screw 2I to separate the wedge members so that the wedge members and the member 24 are moved any desired distance downward. By pressing' th knob I9 in the opposite direction, the opposite wedge member 1 is separated and the member 24 and the wedge members may be moved in that direction to any desired extent; thus the member 24 may be adjusted in either direction by the knob I9. As soon as the knob is released the member 24 is' locked against movement in both directions.

It is sometimes desirable that the adjustablel -changes in relative positions of the respective mountings therefor. `The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is designed to achieve this objective. The slide-locking member is I here `shown as a member 24' with its ends bent into iianges 25 at an angle of about forty-five degrees, thereby forming a cam surface. The wedge members 1" andv 8 have the exible member II passing therebetween. The ends of the wedge members have pins or studs 26 projecting outwardly with resilient means such as springs 2l thereon 'I'he member 24' has a part 28 preferably punched `out of it and bent up to form an abutmentforthe ends of the springs 2l. 'Ihe wedge members "I" -and 9" are mounted on and movable relative to the member 24 and are urged toward each other by the springs 21.

Pressure applied in either direction to the member 24 `will cause the'member to compress one of the springs 2l and continue to move in that direction until one of the abutments 28 is engaged by one rof the studs 26 and further movement is prevented.

The space between the ends of the studs 26 and abutments 28'determines thedistance the Amember 24 will move without the operation of member I8 by knob I9 for greater travel. Thus a. limited movement' is possible in either direction in opposition to the springs '21, which retain the wedge members in locked position unless and until they are separated by movement of the bar member I9. While the movement of the member :24' in the direction to compress one of the springs 21 decreases the compression on the spring at the other end somewhat, nevertheless sumcient compression remains to keep the wedge against which it operates 'pressed into a locked position until the Wedge is unlockedfor readjusted movement byoperating bar I8. The member 24' may be moved in either direction by the knob I9 as described above with reference to Figs. and 6. i

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the wedge members 'I and 8 are held in position by the combined action of the spring I2 and auxiliary holding member I5.

fand, the casing,' If either wedge member .is forced away from the other, the wedge surfaces slide therebetween, and both wedge members can be moved any desired distance in that direction along the guideway. When the adjustment is completed, the wedge members are automatically locked in position against any pressure which tends to press the two wedge members together.

The wedge members 1 and 9' may be adjusted in the same manner in Fig. 3. An auxiliary adjusting means is provided by means of tl e bar I9 therein which is connected lthrough slots 2li in its endsy and screws or studs 2| extending therethrough to the wedge members. The slots 20 are so positioned relative to the studs that when the baris moved upward the stud in the member 1 is. engaged and the stud inthe wedge member 9 is intermediate the ends of the slot.

"In this way; pressure upward on the knob I9 will move the wedge members upward. Conversely, downward pressure on the knob I9 will cause the bar I8 to engage thestud in the wedge member 8 and move the latter downward. The public knows that a knob is ordinarily foradjustment purposes and hence will use the knob I9.for adjusting the slide-lock device.4 An individual with 1out any instructions may therefore adjust .the

device in either direction merely by movement of the knob i9. This is particularly advantageous since it is extraordinary that a member willslide in one direction and will not slide in the other direction.. hence persons encountering the phes f' nomenon in using the device of Figs. 1 and 2 are inclined to try to-iind out how it operates and- "bar i9.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is for the purpose of preventing 'movement of the adjustable member in either direction, except by pressure upon `the knob I9. The wedge' members n l and 8 are mounted in a recess n/the adjustable member 24 with slight clearance at"- the ends of the wedgemembers. With this construction, any pressure on the member 24 in either direction forces the wedge members together in locked position. The wedge membershowever may be separatedA by pressure on the knob I9 :as described previously and lthe member 24 together with the wedge members moved in either direction. -As soon as the knob I9 is released, the member 24 and the wedge members are automatically locked in position.

Theconstruction illustrated in Figs. 'I and 8 is somewhat similar' tothat illustrated' in Figs. 5 and 6 but has the additional function of giving limited movement to the adjustable member 24' through the intermediation of the springs. As described above .the wedge members l" and 8 may be moved in either direction by the knob I9 and bar I8. When released, the adjustable mem ber is automatically locked in position subject to limited movement in opposition to the springs2l. It will be seen that the improvements upon 4my prior patent provide a more durable and eiective construction with a greater iield of utility. Instructions for the operation of the device become unnecessary and `the chances of persons using the device applying excessive and unusual strains to the parts are minimized or eliminated. 'I'he reinforcing `bar relieves the springs of excesare separated, permitting the flexible strip II toV sive strains, making the structure more rugged and fully capable of withstanding the rough usage to which it may be subjected. The above advantages are achieved without increasing materially, the cost of the construction.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacricing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustra tive and not in a limiting sense.

lHaving thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, cooperating wedge members slidable in the guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces, a flexible member extending between the said'wedge surfaces and secured to the' guideway at points spaced longitudinally thereof sufficiently to permit longitudinal movement of the wedge members, resilient means for urging said wedge members against the flexible member passing between the wedge surfaces and a member operatively connected to saidvwedge members for preventing excessive .strains on said resilient means.

2. In a device-of the class described, the com# bination of a guideway, cooperating wedge members slidable in the guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces, a flexible member extending between the said wedge surfaces and secured to the guideway at points spaced longitudinally from the wedgesurfaces, a rigid member and means l operatively connecting said rigid member to said wedge'members Vto permit them-to move apart to a limited extent for adjustmentthereof.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, cooperating'wedge members slidable in the guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces, a flexible member extending between the said wed esurfaces and secured to the guideway at points spaced longitudinally thereof sulciently to permit longitudinal movement'of the wedge members, resilient means for urging I said wedge members against the flexible member passing between the wedge surfaces, a member of greater strengthfthan said resilient means and means for operatively connecting said last-menitioned member to said wedge members to-limit their movement away from each other. 4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, a pair of wedge members adapted to move along said guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces, a flexible ystrip of material extending between said wedge surfaces and (secured to the`guideway at points spaced from the wedge surfaces to permit longitudinal movement of the wedge members, and means operatively connecting said wedge members for moving them along said guideway, said means being effective upon onevwedge member when moved in one direction and upon the other wedge member when moved in the other direction.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of va guideway, a pair of wedge members adapted to move along said guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces, a flexible strip of metal extending between said wedge surfaces andA secured to the guideway at points spaced fromthewedge surfaces to permit longitudinal movement of the wedge members, and a slotted bar, means engaging the slots in said bar operatively connecting said bar to said Wedge members said engaging means and said slots being .adapted to permit limited movement of thebar bers movable in said guideway, means for mounting said wedge members on said member, said mounting means permitting limited longitudinal movement, of said wedge members with respect to* said member,` a flexible strip of material extending between the wedge surfaces of said wedge members and secured to opposite sides of ythe guideway at points spaced longitudinally from, the wedge surfaces whereby said member is nor- A mally locked by the wedges and the flexible strip against movement exceeding the limited movement in either direction except when the wedges are moved apart to permit said member to slide along saidlguideway.

7. In a device of the class described, the com` bination of means forming a guideway,'a member mounted to move along said guideway, a pair lof wedige members slidab'le in said guideway and operatively connected to said first mentioned member by means permitting a limited longitudinal movement and having abutting wedge surfaces, a flexible strip 'ofl material extending between the wedge surfaces ofthe wedge members and ysecured to the lguideway at points beyond the wedge surfaces to permit longitudinal adjustment of the wedge members, and means operatively connected to the wedge members permitting said wedge members to draw apart from each other slightly for adjustment of said first member When one of the two wedge me'mbers is moved away from the other.

'8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, a carriage mounted to move along said guideway, a pair of wedge memvbers mounted on said carriage in the guideway by means permitting a Ilimited longitudinal ,movement of the members, said wedge members having abutting wedge surfaces, a flexible.

metal member extending between thefwedge surfaces and 'secured to the guideway at points beyond the wedge surfaces to permit longitudinal facesin their abuttingy position and to permit" adjustment of the wedge members, andmeans operatively connecting said wedge members to `permit them to draw apart from each other slightly when one of the two wedge members is moved away from the other thereby to permit said carriage to be moved to adjusted positions along the guideway. i

9. In a device of the class described, `the combination of a. 'guideway, a member mounted to move along said guideway, a pair of wedge members mounted on said first member .by meansv permitting a limited longitudinal movement` of the Wedge members, said wedge members having abutting wedge surfaces, means effective upon said wedge members to retain ,the wedge surthem to move apart slightly when one wedge member is moved away from the other for adjustment of the position of said first member along the guideway, and a flexible metal member extending between the wedge surfaces of the wedge members and secured to the guideway at points beyond the wedge surfacesto permit adjustment'of said first member along the guideway.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination `of a channel member, a member adapted to move along the channel of said chanspaced from the wedge surfaces to nelmember, a pair of wedge members mounted on said second member in the channel by means permitting limited longitudinal" movement of the wedge members, said wedge members having' abutting wedge surfaces, resilient means adapted to urge said wedge members toward each other, a flexible metal member extending between the wedge lsurfaces of the wedge members and secured to the channel member at points beyond the wedge surfaces to permit longitudinal adjustment ofthe wedge members and of said member movable along the'channel member.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a slide member adapted to move along said casing, a pair of Wedge members in the casing having abutting wedge surfaces carried by said slide member, a flexible metal member extending between the wedge surfaces of said wedge members and secured to said casing at points spaced from `said wedge surfaces, abutments on said slide member and spring members engaging said abutments and said wedge members to urge said wedge memlbers together and to lock the wedges against movement along the casing, whereby said slide member may have a limited longitudinal movement in opposition to said springs after being locked and may be adjusted from one position to another-by separation of said wedge surfaces.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a channel member, a slide member adapted to slide along the bottom of said channel, -a pair of wedge members mounted on said l slide member and having abutting wedge surfaces, a exible metal member extending between said wedgesurfaces andsecured to the ends of said channel member, projections on said slide member and springs under compresa `.carriage in said guideway operatively connected to said Wedge members by means permitting a limited longitudinal movement and movable with said wedge members as a unit.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, cooperating wedge members slidable in the guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces, a rigid link member, and means operatively connecting said rigid member to said wedge members to permit them to move apart to a limited extent for movement of the two wedge members along the guideway.

16. In a device of the class described, the corn'- bination of a guideway, a pair of' Wedge membersadapted to move along said guideway and having opposed wedge surfaces for locking the members in position in the guideway, and means operatively connecting said Wedge members for l unlocking the wedge members and for moving sion intermediate said projections and said wedge members to urge said wedge members toward each other to lock the wedge members in position, said springs permitting limited relative movement between the wedge members and said slide member. 13. In .a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, a slide member adapted to slide along the guideway, a pair of wedge members .mounted on said slide member and having abutting wedge surfaces, a exible metal strip extending between said wedge surfaces and secured to said guideway at points spaced from said wedge surfaces, and resilient means operatively connected to said slide member and to said wedge members to urge one of said wedge members towardthe other to lock the wedge members in position, said resilient means permitting limited relative movement between the wedge members and said slide member.

' 14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, a pair of wedge .mem-

bers adapted to move along said guideway and -having opposed wedge surfaces, a flexible strip of material extending between said wedge surfaces and secured to the g'uideway .at points permit longitudinal movement of the wedge members, means operatively connecting'said wedge members for moving them along said guideway, said means being' effective upon one wedge member when moved in one direction and upon the other wedge member when moved in the other direction, and

them along the guideway, said means being effective upon one wedge member to separate it from the second when moved in one direction and effective upon the second wedge member to separate it from the other wedge member when moved in the opposite direction.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, a member mounted to slide in said guideway, a pair of wedge members slidable in said guideway, said wedge ,members having wedge surfaces thereon, means for securing said wedge members to said rst mentioned member, said securing -me'ans permitting a limited longitudinalmovement of the wedge members with respect to the first mentioned member, a flexible strip of material extending between the wedge surfaces ofthe Wedge members and secured to opposite sides fof the guideway at points spaced longitudinallyfrom the wedgesurfaces whereby said first mentioned member is normally locked against movement exceeding thelimited movement in either direction and a connecting member operatively connected to said wedge members by means of screws and slots adapted to separate said wedgemembers to release the locking action and to move said first mentioned member in one direction when said connecting member is moved in said direction and to separate said wedge members and move said first mentioned member in the opposite direction when said connecting member is moved` in the opposite direction. l

18. InA a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway, a member mounted to slide in said guideway, a pair of wedge members secured to said rst mentioned member by means permitting a Ilimited longitudinal movement;` of themembers and adapted to lock said first mentioned member -in adjusted 'positions in said guideway, and a connecting member operatively connected to said wedge members b y means permitting a limited longitudinal movement with respect thereto and adapted to separate said wedge members to release the locking action when moved in either direction and to move said f'lrst mentioned member in one direction when said member is moved in 4said direction and-to move said first mentioned member in the opposite Adirection when said connecting member is 

